Category Archives: SOME THINGS

So it’s been a while (7 months…eeek!) since my last blog, and time has certainly flown by! From having manic Monday to Fridays freelancing on a variety of exciting design projects from; window schemes, festival and touring pop-ups, and large scale conferences, and then spending the majority of summer weekends in various fields listening to music, blogging did go on the back burner…but now I’m back! Thought I would get the ball rolling again with a trip down to Top Drawer and Home to check out the new homewares and gifts that are likely to be making their way to the High Street and online retailers soon.

BOLD BIRDS & BOTANICALS

Plants and animals are always popular, but at this Top Drawer and Home, I noticed a definite swing more towards birds (a lot of cockatoos around!) and tropical plants.1. Melamine Plates- RICE
The vintage bird prints on the melamine plates have a kitsch element to them which is probably why I like them. Rice has also printed the birds onto latte cups, coasters and cushions.2. Magpie Lampshade- GEORGIA WILKINSON DESIGN
Georgia’s magpie design, available in 4 background colours, is simple, eye catching, and one of her most popular designs. Georgia launched a seagull design and prawn design (which I also love!) at Top Drawer this weekend.3. Cushions- TATTERSFIELD DESIGNS
Jane Tattersfield created these bright cushion covers by scanning in her original oil paintings, and then creating a repeat pattern from there. The strong colours and patterns are great if you’re looking for an accent cushion.4. ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ Print- RIFLE PAPER COMPANY
I like the sunny yellow background and slightly retro feel to this print by Rifle Paper Company.5. Leafy Monstera Notebook- KITH & KIN
The Leafy Monstera pattern reminds me of Victorian botanical drawings, but the clean white background and colour blocked background shadows give it a contemporary feel. As well as on notebooks, the pattern is also available on cushions, fabric baskets and wrapping paper.6. Toco Toucan Cushion- KITH & KIN
Ok, so I couldn’t choose between Kith & Kin’s Leafy Monstera pattern and this brilliant Toco Toucan Cushion, so I’ve included them both. Again, it’s that more traditional depiction of the toucan that I love, especially with the surrounding vibrant flowers.

PATTERNED NEUTRALS

Neutral coloured homewares with simple toned down patterns are a key trend in the show, especially in dusky pink hues. I really liked how within some collections, the designers have created patterns through texture, and played around with contrasting finishes so matte finish objects sit alongside satin or gloss finish objects.

1. Blanket- HOUSE OF RYM
I loved the majority of this Swedish Tunisian collection from the geometric blanket shown above, to their mix and match patterned wall tiles and porcelain tableware.2. Fabrics- NANCY STRAUGHAN
Nancy’s printed organic cotton fabric designs, created by manipulating her photographs of textures, are beautiful. The fabrics can either be bought by the metre, or she has a range of various items such as cushions, kitchen towels, wash bags, notebooks, which can also be purchased from her website. The fabrics shown above from top to bottom are Goldie (a new edition to her collection), Cross (my favourite!), and Escher, but many more can be found on her website.3. Aged Fat Mug- DASSIE ARTISAN
This was the first time I had seen any Dassie Artisan pieces and I was really impressed. They import, retail and wholesale eco-friendly homewares and gifts which have been handcrafted by artisans in Southern Africa. As everything is handmade, no two items are identical, which works really well for the designs within the collections. I love the irregular bobbled texture of this mug.4. Enamel Tableware Set- DASSIE ARTISAN
Dassie Artisan again! Enamel coated tableware is really popular at the minute, but I like how the pale blue band of zig zags gives this set a little something extra without being too over the top and taking away from the imperfect enamel finish.

I couldn’t end this blog without sharing perhaps my most favourite product in the entire show….a glitter winged Pug Christmas Tree topper from Garudio Studiage. Just amazing! Enjoy!

It’s the last shopping weekend before Valentine’s Day but if you can’t face the crowds, here are a few online gift options…

FOR HER…

If your partner loves all thing patterned, then George the Chameleon is the perfect necklace for her. George was born from a collaboration between Brighton based designers Designosaur YEAH and Hello Dodo and I just love him! He goes with any outfit!

George The Chameleon Necklace

Although these Charlotte Olympia shoes are called Birthday Shoes, why not get them for Valentine’s Day…extra points for getting your partner’s shoe size and star sign right! The shoes are embellished with a Swarovski crystal Zodiac symbol and come with a Charlotte Olympia horoscope book. I love the embroidered zodiac symbol on the heel! If flats aren’t your girls thing, heels and clutch bags are also available.

Charlotte Olympia Birthday Shoes- Scorpio, Pisces & Taurus

Why not get one of these stylish etched apothecary bottles from Rockett St George coupled with maybe a bottle of your partner’s favourite bubble bath or…

I absolutely love this next gift and is perfect for any Instagram obsessive! It’s called Projecteo and you basically pick 9 of your favourite Instagrams online which are then printed onto a single frame of 35mm slide frame. These then get posted to you with a mini projector! Now this is from a US company and it does take them 2 days to create the film then 14-21 days to ship outside of the States so the projector won’t arrive until after Valentine’s Day, but you can buy a gift certificate so your partner can choose her own favourite pics. The Projecteo is only $35/approx £21.50 (excluding shipping and taxes) which I think is great! It’s just a bit of fun but I love it…if only I instagrammed!

Projecteo- click on the picture to see how it works!

FOR HIM…

The Spicery’s SpiceBox subscriptions are a great gift idea for guys who either fancy themselves as a bit of a culinary genius, or for those that are getting to grips with the kitchen. You simply subscribe to either a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription and then chose between a ‘Friday Night Curry’ box or ‘World Kitchen’ box, then once a month a Spicebox will drop through your letter box containing; laminated recipe cards and a binder, samples of freshly ground spices measured for the recipes enclosed, news, tips, offers and discounts, and a special gift every 3 months. Guaranteed monthly date night….and he does the cooking!

The Spicery’s Spicebox

Probably not the most romantic of presents but Joy’s Man Shed Box is quite funny, and perfect for guys who are constantly misplacing things…and who don’t have a garden to own an actual shed!

Joy’s Man Shed Box

One Must Dash’s print below entitled ‘Love Letters’ is a subtle reference to Valentine’s Day. It would look great in a study or office.

Love Letters print by One Must Dash

Not On The High Street is one of the best websites to go to for personalised gifts, and some of the independent designers and makers can turn personalised products around so quickly. Guitarists would appreciate this initialed African Rosewood plectrum by Maria Allen Boutique. If you order within the next couple of days, the plectrum will arrive for Valentine’s Day using standard UK delivery, but a next day delivery option is also available.

Maria Allen Boutique’s Wooden Initial and Heart Plectrum available at Not On The High Street

If your chap’s Movember facial hair has outstayed its welcome, treat him to an old fashioned cut-throat shave. For London based folk, Ted Baker has numerous Grooming Rooms which you can purchase treatment gift certificates for- judging by the videos on the website, your man will be completely pampered! A few other traditional barbers around the UK include Manchester’s Gentry Grooming, Ruffians (great name!) in Edinburgh and Jack’s of London have numerous barber shops dotted around.

Gift Certificate for Ted Baker’s Grooming Room

If any singletons have bothered reading this far, I spotted this today in Oliver Bonas…and yes, I did have a flick through!

‘How to Woo’ available at Oliver Bonas

Enjoy Valentine’s Day everyone and I hope this gift guide has been useful!

I briefly mentioned in Monday’s post that animals were everywhere at Home London and Top Drawer– they’re an eternal trend. People will always love animals and buy animal products. Here is a small selection of the variety on show…

Among all the lovely products on show at Home London and Top Drawer, two exhibitors in particular really impressed me, not only with their beautiful pieces but with their ethics…

FENTON

Fenton sources fine art from UK graduates and then pays for the rights to a particular piece. They then take details from the piece and scale it up, scale it down, multiply it into various patterns which are then printed onto various fabrics, papers and canvas. Fenton then takes their artist inspired printed design and locally manufactures cushions, lampshades, wallpapers and other home accessories. The great thing is though that everytime a Fenton product is sold, the original artist is then given a royalty. It’s such a nice idea that the artist will see a monetary return from their original piece taking on a new form, and makes their work and name more accessible.

Fenton’s Highly Strung Fabric shown on cushions. The top row is the Floral print and the bottom row is the Rose. Love how elements from the original artwork have developed into a candy coloured ‘floral’ chintz.

GREEN & BLUE

I got a real sense from Green & Blue that their work ethic is very much form follows function and I love that! Just so happens that their forms are beautiful as well as functional! Take their hanging or wall mounted birdballs for example…

…so elegant in their simple spherical form. The balls come in a matte white or terracotta finish. When I asked if they come in other glazes or colours, they explained that the matte finish and natural colour palettes are more conducive to birds nesting. I like how they have remained focused on the product purpose and haven’t gone down the route of other colours for this particular product just for potentially more sales and financial gain. They do have a range of Bird Feeders however where they could use colourful glazes because the gloss finish is more practical for the product.

The various gloss glazes of Green & Blue’s seed feeder.

They also showcased some various sized bricks which encourage bees to nest in them. The grey dimpled bricks come in a variety of sizes and can be arranged into an attractive modular display for somewhere in your garden, or the bricks manufactured to match standard brick size can even be used for building work. A nice way to help save the bees when building your extension!

Another Green & Blue product which is just so simple but stunning, a definite fave of mine is the Sandcastle Bowl. Check this beauty out….

Yesterday Earls Court opened its doors once again for Top Drawer and Home London, two shows specialising in gifts, lifestyle and fashion accessories, and homewares and interiors. I love this event…as well as seeing what new pieces the well established wholesalers have to offer, it’s a great opportunity to meet new independent designers and makers. It’s great when you see a product from a new company and you just know the product will sell and they’re going to have a successful year- you feel excited for them!

The two shows cover such a large variety of product in so many different design styles, there really is something for everyone there. I’ve pulled together some of the trends that stood out for me…

COOL COLOUR PALETTE

Cool blues, off whites, greys and purples seemed to be the predominant colour palette with occasional burnt orange, yellow and teal accent colours.

METALLICS

Metallics were strong again this year. They were used either minimally to highlight a detail for example the outline of an illustration or a fitting on a table, or they were used in a more unusual way but on a larger scale to be the main feature of that particular product.

1- Another Country are exhibiting some beautiful crafted furniture which use simple brass fixtures and fittings that compliment the matte finish of the wood. I also love their Another Desktop Series 2 accessory set shown on top of the bench which uses brass sheet to highlight the function of the stationary item.

2- LSAs striking Polka Collection combines an all over metallic glaze with a strong colour palette.

3- Independent surface pattern designer Claire Murray is exhibiting her new Birds and Butterflies wallpaper on the Heart Home Magazine stand. The pattern has also been printed onto fabric for cushions and lampshades but I like how the slightly metallic grey background to the wallpaper really makes the pattern’s lemon yellows, oranges, pinks and teals pop out.

5- Sabre Paris have done a range of metallic acrylic cutlery which would be great for entertaining.

6- Get me one of these Broste Copenhagen rugs! I love them so much! The natural palette works really well with the skinny strips of copper woven through.

SIMPLICITY

Of course there are a fair amount of more detailed, and ornate, and shabby chic items on show, but for me, the really striking pieces were the more stripped back simple products, either simple in their form, their finish or texture.

1- The simple radiating chevron pattern on Rorstrands Swedish Grace collection works really well with the pale glaze.

2- Absolutely love Maia Ming Designs porcelain Salt & Pepper Rings with one ring having a matte finish, and the other being gloss.

3- Selettis Desktructure range is good fun. I like how the clean coloured band running along the bottom edge helps give the blocks presence.

4- Another product by Seletti. The Multilamp comes in various forms, but this tall floor standing lamp is my favourite. The simple matte finish frame, clean angles, and neat 6 lamp grid work really well.

5- I spent ages looking at Royal Doultons 1815 range. The rep explained how they created the collection by going right back to their beginnings (in 1815) when Royal Doulton created more everyday utility pieces. This shows in the clean forms and simple dipped glaze finish. I really like the range of colours they’ve chosen and it will be interesting to see how they develop the range for the bicentennial anniversary next year.

6- Chives wall bricks are about as simple as you can go and they just work so well as a striking indoor or outdoor wall feature.

FACES

Quite a random trend, but faces seemed to pop up every now and then. Following on from the Simplicity trend above, they were often simple line only illustrations on simple white forms with the face being the only detail.

There was of course animal products everywhere but that is a whole other post! Top Drawer and Home London are open until Tuesday 5pm. You can register for free at www.topdrawer.co.uk or www.home-london.net. If you do go down, make sure you wear comfy shoes- there is alot to see!

A New Year’s lurgy hit me about half an hour into 2014, so I’ve been in bed for the past couple of days trying to shake it off with this monstrous beauty for company…

I bloody love this hot water bottle! To me, the gaudy embellishments and slight inappropriateness, just make it AMAZING! I originally bought one for my friend from Urban Outfitters for Christmas, because I knew she would appreciate it’s horrific beauty but I loved it so much, I bought one for myself as well…and yes, my friend loves it just as much as me (thank goodness!).

It got me thinking about Kitsch which is definitely a Marmite genre. I love it however and agree with (the trusted) Urban Dictionary’s definition of it, ‘As an art movement, lifestyle, or literature and film genre, kitsch is pleasingly distasteful. It’s melodramatic, overdone, gaudy and tacky or sentimental and folksy. It’s so bad that it’s cool. Your cat might attack it, but it’s hot.’

Here are some other kitsch beauties I found …

Abigail Ahern’s poodle lamps

Zara Home has a surprising amount of kitsch. The more I look at this picture frame, the more I love it, which I know is wrong but I can’t help myself!

These gnaughty gnomes available at Timorous Beasties

Tatty Devine’s Giant Lobster Necklace. Click on the picture to be taken through to their blog about the making of their limited edition pink Lobster necklace for the brilliant Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore exhibition at Somerset House.

Anya Hindmarch’s Swan Vestas Imperial clutch

I think everybody should get themselves at least one kitsch item either for their home or a fashion accessory because they’ll always be a talking point, and as long as you love it, it doesn’t matter if others don’t.

With Christmas nearly here there are pop-up markets happening all over town, full of unusual handcrafted gift ideas for your family and friends…and maybe a little treat for yourself!

Last year, I loved the Secret Emporium Christmas Market so made it a ‘must-do’ for this morning. It definitely didn’t disappoint with more sellers than last year with, for me, the jewelers stealing the show, each with their own unique styles to suit a range of budgets.

Sellers which I’ve never come across before that caught my eye included…

Jessica de Lotz’s handcuff necklace and her apple core necklace are great fun! The large handcuff necklace even opens with a lock and has all the mechanisms of working handcuffs.

Necklaces perfect for pairing with a summer maxi dress included Alexa de Castilho’s lovely gold pineapple disc necklaceas, Strange Loop’s unusual Medusa inspired necklaces, and one of One We Made Earlier’s simple shape necklaces made form cork, wood and plastic. These necklaces reminded me of Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Group.

Alexa de Castilho’s gold pineapple disc necklace

Strange Loop’s Medusa necklace

One We Made Earlier’s shape necklaces

E.A.Burns‘ new collection which introduced frosted acrylic pieces were as striking as the original leather studded pieces, and Nylon Sky’s beautifully finished laser cut acrylic and wood jewellery would create a statement on any outfit.

The Kaleidoscope necklaces from Wolf and Moon’s Crystallized Collection

Still want this cast crab necklace!

And I also got a chance to catch up with how Ali Forbes‘ busy year has been going since I first saw her collection at the Hush House Supermarket at the Bussey Building back in August. Sounds like 2014 is going to be a busy year for her!

The market is only open until 10pm tomorrow so definitely try and head down to the Nicholls & Clarke Building, E1 6DB. There’s a £1 entry charge, and they’re also running a voluntary donation to Mind.

Of Cabbages and Kings are also holding a pop up shop in Abney Hall in Stoke Newington this weekend, and if you’re looking for more unusual , handcrafted Christmas decorations and ideas, head to the O2 where the Handmade Christmas Fair is on until Sunday.

Yesterday I went to the BarbicansPop Art Design exhibition and, as usual, the Barbican definitely didn’t disappoint. Pop Art is one of the more fun approachable art genres so I would definitely recommend people go visit the exhibition whether you’re familiar with Pop Art or not. It’s on until 9th February 2014- plenty of time! Perfect to brighten up dreary winter afternoons!

There were many artworks that I loved, but one of the stand out exhibits was actually a small flat packed paper jewellery kit by Wendy Ramshaw and David Watkins.

It was exactly that- a paper kit which you assembled together to make pyramid form earrings. I just thought it was quite a different idea for jewellery- it’s not often you buy a piece of mass produced jewellery which you then have to assemble yourself. It made me wonder if perhaps the consumers had a greater sense of ownership because they had been part of the assembly process, even though it was such a disposable item especially being made out of paper. It got me thinking about mass production today, and how more and more products are being developed so that the owner can put their own stamp on it- yeah I bought this flat packed bit of kit, but look how I’ve made it my own…

People went crazy when Habitat launched Tord Boontjes ‘Garland’. Such a simple, decorative, and affordable lamp shade alternative that gives consumers creative power to create their own lampshade form and talking point in their home. They can stick with just the one garland, add another one on, mix up the metal colours- quite a few options and a reasonable price.

Luckies Scratch off World Map may not be as high tech as some of the Bouroullec brothers projects, but it’s a really fun gift. The idea is that the owner scratches off where they have been in the world revealing the coloured in country beneath the gold scratch off surface. Despite it being a mass produced item, by the time the consumer has interacted with it, every one will be different, and it tells a personal story.

Stories could be told with this fairytale like, slightly surreal magnetic wallpaper by Sian Zeng. The woodland pattern wallpaper comes with a pack of magnetic creature characters and speech bubbles to stick to the wall wherever you like. It is £248 per roll (including characters and the receptive liner needed to create the magnetic surface) so it is more pricey than your average kids bedroom wallpaper so you’re definitely paying for the personal interaction. The woodland pattern wallpaper is available to buy on its own as a non-magnetic paper at £65.

I think manufacturers do have to keep on mass producing items that can be personalised because consumers are more savvy and there’s more alternatives available. If they can’t get the personal touch they’re wanting from an off-the-shelf kit, it could be just as easy for them to buy an alternative mass produced item that they can adapt themselves…

Father’s Day is this Sunday and if you haven’t got time to head to the shops, here are some suggestions for last minute internet gifts…

These chocolate bars with optional personalised wrapping from The Chocolate Library are a nice alternative to the standard supermarket choc selection. They have a huge range for any occasion.

100g personalised chocolate bars at The Chocolate Library, £5.95

If your Dad is a bit of a foodie, you could make up a hamper of all his favourite bits, or buy one ready made off the shelf. Pre-made hampers like the Smiling Man hamper below are available from the Bill’s Restaurant chain– their food is amazing so would definitely recommend giving the hamper selection a bash!

Smiling Man Hamper at Bill’s, £9.50

Personalised messages could be branded into your Dad’s steak with this funky bit of kit from Hunter Gatherer. The steak brand comes with a selection of letters to create any message you want.

Personalised Branding Iron for Steaks at Hunter Gatherer, £24.95

These wine charts by Stuart Gardiner available at Rockett St George are great to let your Dad know which wine goes best with what food. Stuart Gardiner’s website also has a lovely illustrated chart for seasonal vegetable planting- perfect for any Dad’s who like to grow their own!

Stuart Gardiners Guides to Pairing Wine at Rockett St George, £45

Love this simple Laurel and Hardy print by Coconut Grass and a bit of a bargain at £9 for an A4 print and £12 for an A3 print.

Another Fine Mess Print at Coconut Grass, £9/£12

This Karin Akesson Super Hero Dad print available at Rockett St George may be a tad cheesy but Father’s Day wouldn’t be Father’s Day without a bit of cheese!

Super Hero Dad Print at Rockett St George, £23

Love this Tom Dixon cast mini jack door stop / paper weight available at Heals– would look great in a study.

Tom Dixon Doorstop at Heals, £50-£75

The embossed moustache and monocle wearing face is a humorous little detail in the back of the hand bound leather Monsieur Notebook range available at Blank Journals.

Monsieur Notebook, many styles available, prices vary

The Bird Call Trio from Cow & Co is quite a random little gift, but perfect if your Dad is a bit of a bird spotter. These hand carved wooden whistles are designed to recreate the bird call of the Goldfinch, Great Tit and Nuthatch.

Bird Call Trio at Cow and Co, £37.50

Golfing Dads can keep their tees all in one place in Lifecover’s Harris Tweed purse available at Two Red Trees.

Lifecovers Harris Tweed Tee Purse at Two Red Trees, £12

Happy Shopping!

(All prices are correct at time of posting and do not include delivery or frames for any of the prints.)